Compare all 11 Incoterms 2020 trade terms side by side, explore the seller/buyer responsibility matrix, and answer a few questions to find the right term for your shipment.
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All 11 Terms
EXW, FCA, CPT, CIP, DAP, DPU, DDP, FAS, FOB, CFR and CIF per ICC Incoterms 2020.
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Responsibility Matrix
Who pays export clearance, freight, insurance, import duty and VAT — seller or buyer, at a glance.
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Smart Recommender
Answer 5 questions about your shipment and get a ranked recommendation instantly.
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Bilingual
Switch between English and Chinese at any time; all terms and responsibilities are fully translated.
Find Your Term
Answer the questions below. The recommendation panel updates instantly.
01How is your cargo being shipped to the destination country?
02Who should bear the main international freight (exporting to destination country)?
03Who is responsible for cargo insurance?
04How far should the seller deliver the goods?
05Who is responsible for import duty and customs clearance in the destination country?
All 11 Incoterms 2020
Click any term to inspect its responsibility matrix and details.
FCA
Free Carrier
货交承运人
Any mode
Risk transfer point
When goods are handed over to the carrier (or its agent) at a named place in the country of export
Place of delivery
Named place (usually the carrier’s terminal or the seller’s premises)
Cost & responsibility matrix
ItemResponsible party
Export clearanceSeller
Origin inland freightSeller
LoadingSeller
Export duty/taxSeller
Main carriageBuyer
InsuranceOptional
Import dutyBuyer
Import VAT/exciseBuyer
Destination inlandBuyer
UnloadingBuyer
Risk allocation
ItemResponsible party
Risk of loss before delivery/loadingSeller
Transport risk after risk transferBuyer
SellerSBuyerBOptionalXN/AN
What it means
The most-used F-group term, for any mode of transport. The seller clears export and delivers to the carrier.
Best for
Container, multimodal or air freight — the default first choice for modern cross-border sourcing.
Watch out
Always specify the exact place of delivery (which terminal / warehouse) in the contract, or the risk transfer point stays ambiguous.
Quick comparison — all terms
Where risk transfers for each term. Click a row to view details.
CodeTermModeRisk transfer point
How to Choose the Right Incoterms 2020 Term
The Incoterms 2020 rules (ICC publication 723) define exactly when risk and cost pass from seller to buyer in international trade. Choosing the wrong term can cost you thousands in unexpected freight, insurance or import duty — or leave you without cover when goods are lost in transit. This interactive selector walks you through all 11 terms and shows, for each one, who pays export clearance, origin inland freight, loading, main carriage, insurance, import duty, VAT, destination inland freight and unloading.
The terms fall into four groups. E-terms (EXW) give the seller minimum responsibility; F-terms (FCA, FAS, FOB) place main carriage on the buyer; C-terms (CPT, CIP, CFR, CIF) put main carriage (and sometimes insurance) on the seller while risk still transfers early; D-terms (DAP, DPU, DDP) make the seller responsible for delivery to the destination. Use the quiz above to find the term that matches your shipping mode, who should bear freight and insurance, and how far the seller should deliver.
Incoterms 2020 is the latest edition of the ICC rules (publication 723, effective 1 January 2020) defining obligations, costs and risk transfer between buyer and seller in international sales contracts. It contains 11 terms across the E, F, C and D groups.
help
EXW or FCA — which should I use when sourcing from China?
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FCA is usually smoother for cross-border buyers: the seller clears export and hands over to the carrier at a named place. EXW leaves export formalities to the buyer, which is difficult for overseas buyers sourcing from China.
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Does the seller paying freight (CPT/CFR) mean the seller bears the risk?
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No. In C-terms, risk transfers early (at the first carrier / on board the vessel), even though the seller pays main carriage. Goods in transit are at the buyer’s risk — insure accordingly.
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FOB or FCA for container shipments?
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Use FCA. Under Incoterms 2020, FOB applies only once goods are loaded on board a vessel, which does not match container-yard handover. FCA is the correct term for containers, LCL and multimodal.
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If CIF/CIP includes insurance, do I still need more?
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CIF provides minimum cover (Institute Cargo Clauses C); CIP provides wider cover (Clauses A). For high-value goods, negotiate the broadest cover and confirm the insured amount covers the full CIF/CIP price.
This tool is based on ICC Incoterms 2020 (publication 723) and is for general guidance only. Always confirm obligations in your contract and consult a trade or customs professional.
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